Drug delivery to the CNS and vectorization, Marseille

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Key Words

Details of the offer

Context
Brain disorders account for one of the highest rates of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide, partly because the application of therapeutic and diagnostic agents is hindered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, there is a global need of novel brain delivery systems that grant access to the brain of therapeutic biologics and/or imaging and theragnostic agents. Receptor mediated transcytosis (RMT) pathways engaging different receptors of the BBB are being successfully exploited to transport pharmaceutical agents into the brain following their functionalization with peptides, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or their engineered versions, such as fragment binding regions (Fab), single chain variable fragments (scFv), and VHH (also referred to as single domain antibodies, sdAbs). To date, four therapeutic candidates that benefit from RMT strategies for brain delivery have shown promising results and have reached advanced clinical trial phases. In the field of AD, a mAb targeting amyloid beta and conjugated to a Fab ligand that binds the Transferrin Receptor1 (TfR1) showed enhanced brain delivery and significant beneficial effects in patients in phase 3 trial. In this context, we have successfully developed VHH vectors that target different BBB receptors such as the TfR (patent ID: WO 2020144233 A1). These VHH allow delivery into the brain of different cargos, such as mAbs, oligonucleotides (e.g., ASO, siRNA, mRNA), PET or MRI contrast agents that can be used for CNS immunotherapy, gene therapy, and as disease imaging biomarkers respectively.

The candidate will have to set up a team and/or a technological platform to lead research projects aimed at conjugating pharmaceutical products with various vectors. The research project is timely and will be implemented in what is emerging as a new era, at the crossroads of pharmaceutical developments based on biologics including mAbs, oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins, and the potential to target these therapeutics to the CNS and other organs. The CPJ project will involve highly multidisciplinary approaches: CNS pharmacology and drug development, chemical medicine, BBB expertise, biotechnology, structural biology, protein and antibody engineering, cell and brain imaging, animal models of disease, computational science supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The goal is to promote effective product development and a fast translation from bench to preclinical studies. 

The project will be developed in collaboration with the biotech company Vect-Horus (https://www.vect-horus.com ), an INP spin-off specializing in the vectorization of biomolecules across the BBB. The INP and Vect-Horus are partners in a " Laboratoire Commun de Recherche " (Labcom) offering opportunities for industrial partnerships with international biotech and pharma companies.

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS 

• The INP welcomes a junior scientist seeking a permanent position in France to progressively develop a new group to lead independent and innovative research programs in the field of CNS drug delivery and vectorization. 
• Applicants must hold a doctorate and have relevant postdoctoral experience. They should have interest and experience in translational research related to the design and vectorization of biomolecules to the CNS. The candidate should have a competitive CV and a track record that will allow her/him to obtain a permanent position as a Research Director at the CNRS within the next 3-5 years.
• Applicants should have expertise or at least be familiar with: CNS pharmacology and drug development, chemical medicine, BBB pathophysiology, biotechnology, structural biology, protein and antibody engineering, cellular and brain imaging, animal models of disease, computational science supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
• We strongly encourage applications from candidates who meet the criteria to apply for ATIP-Avenir or European funded programs (e.g. ERC). The CNRS, AMU and INP offer support and guidance in the preparation of grants and tenure applications.

More info

Type of job

Type of contract

Application deadline

Employment start date 01/10/2025

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

• the Laboratory Director, Prof François Devred: francois.devred@univ-amu.fr
• the Deputy Director, Dr Santiago Rivera: santiago.rivera@univ-amu.fr